Dear Friends,
Jaya Ram by Sutra Foundation at the Esplanade Theatre, presented by SIFAS (28 May, 2023) for it’s RAGA Festival of Arts series, in collaboration with Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, was a roaring success. Jaya Ram, Sutra Foundation’s newest Odissi production, co-directed by Guru Gajendra Panda and Ramli Ibrahim, highlighted the Odissi parampara of their guru, the late Debaprasad Das, with vigour and authencity.
This Odissi style, seldom seen in this part of the world, replete with the dynamic folk energy and rhythm the folk traditions (inspired by Ram Leela and Rama Natakam of South Odisha), demonstrated convincingly the primal concept of ‘Tridhara’ of Debuji (the vital existence of classical, folk and tribal within a dance system). The earthy and authentic power of dance and music can be felt from the furthest corner of the large auditorium of the packed Esplanade theatre. Not seen in the video is the superb projected backdrop and lighting of Sivarajah Natarajan, which gave the production that inimitable Sutra stamp.
Apart from the convincing interpretation of the main characters of Rama, Sita and Ravana, the complementary vigour and grace of Odissi of the Debaprasad style was augmented to full effect by the young dancers of Sutra Dance Outreach Program.
Jiman Casablancas, well known Malaysian PR consultant and blogger interviewed at random the packed audience after the show. The latter expressed how much they enjoyed the night and unanimously gave their superlative review of Jaya Ram.
Sutra Foundation